Too often goalies behave as “puck
receptacles” where they simply wait to be shot at before taking any
defensive measures. Well, since you’re only doing the physical
aspect of the save for less than 60 seconds in a 60 second game, how
can you effectively use the rest of your “free time” to manipulate
the shooters to do what you want them to do? Well, I’ll tell ya…..just
pay attention to these 3 easy steps!

Step 1: Think Like
A Shooter
Yes, I know shooters are not always the smartest creatures on the
ice, but you still need to understand what their options are in
order to best defend against their offensive choices. You have to
read what is the most likely decision they will make with the puck
based on what’s going on around you. Is the shooter limited to a
shot because of your pressuring defenseman or a bad angle? If so,
you can be a bit more aggressive on the angles. If the shooter has
good support from his linemates, what do you think he or she will
do? If it looks like his or her linemates are not viable options to
receive a pass or play a rebound, you can give the shooter more
focus. If the linemates are in good pass receiving or rebounding
position can you control the shot, break up a pass or move to the
proper location of the pass? Reading the play early will give you
the chance to put more pressure on the shooter to make a great play.
If you are passive, the shooter controls you.

Step 2: Use
Valuable Seconds Wisely And Beat ‘Em To The Puck!Too often a goalie gets caught flat-footed
staring at a rebound or watching a pass when he or she should have
been using those valuable seconds to move to the new angle so the
shooter is forced to rush the shot. Daydreaming and being
flat-footed when you could have narrowed your gap to play the next
shot or pass will force you to over-commit your body to get to the
puck. If the puck moves away from where you are currently facing,
have your body move as your brain is thinking so you can already be
in position before the next shot comes!

Step 3: Play
With A Sense Of UrgencyYeah, this should be obvious, but far too many
goalies look bored or lazy when they play. This lack of urgency does
not strike the fear of God into the shooters but rather gives them
the confidence to take the shots they like. However, when shooters
play against a passionate, active goalie who battles all the time,
they get forced into mistakes because they don’t have a lot of time
to make good choices. Battle all the time to stop the puck! If you
glide slowly around the crease, don’t attack rebounds and don’t pay
attention to the details of your saves, you will not dominate
shooters. They will dominate you!